Extensible connector



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 9, 1947 llllllll Henry 7?} BY flzmyrm July 13, 1948- H. F. EBERT 2,445,023

EXTENSIBLE CONNECTOR Filed May 9, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented July 13, 1948 UNITEDQSTATES PATENT OFFICE 7 EXTENSIBLIZVCONNECTOR 1 Henry F. Ebert, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application Mayil, 1947, Serial No. 7517.002 v Fig. 1 is a top view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a section along theline 2-2 of Fig. 1,

with parts in normal relative positions when the ,device is in use; Fig. 3 is a section along the line 3-301 Fig. 4 isa bottom view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of parts below the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 2 with parts in positions slightly different from those of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a section along the line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 7 with parts in other positions;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the parts shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a modification; and

Fig. 12 is a transverse section along the line a-a of Fig. 11 on an enlarged scale.

In the drawings, reference character I indicates a top curved link having side walls 2, 2' and an integral ring 3 at one end thereof. The other ends of these side walls are provided with holes I in which the lugs 4' of a. link 5 of resilient material are pivoted. This link 5 is provided with a curved extension 5 along the top side thereof a short distance from lugs 4. Longitudinal strengthening edges 6 are provided on the link 5. The other end of this link is flattened, as shown at 5", and integral pivot lugs I on the edges of this link 5 extend into holes or bearings in the side walls or flanges 8 of a link 9 that is curved like link I, and is narrow enough to be nested between the side walls 2 and 2' of link I. The other end of link 9 is provided with an inwardly projecting stop 9' and side flanges I0, one of which has a notch H therein. A curved slidable locking member I2 having a ring I3 at one end for a cross pin, and flanges I4 along its edges, is slidably mounted in link 9. The upper edges 8 of the flanges 8 of link 9 are turned inwardly and guide slidable locking member I2 in link 9. An

integral projection I5 is provided on slidable member I2 to limit the outward movement of 5 Glaims. (01. 24-71) link -I and walls 2 of other figures.

, 2 q slidable locking member I2 as it strikes the stop 9 at the endof link 9. Teeth I6 are provided along a flange I4 'of' theslidable locking member Ii; and a catch I'I having a sloping edge is provided along the edge of flange 2'.

In the modification shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the linkZIl with side walls "corresponds to the The'link 22 of springymaterial corresponds to link5, the flanges 23 to-flanges '2, the link 21 to link 9; In

- this modification there is a slot 31 in each flange 29- corresponding to'the slot IIof other figures. Slidable locking member 3| corresponds to looking member I2, and slots 31 correspond to "slot II.:--The main 'difierence in this modification is that acatch or'tooth 3I5'corresponding to catch 'I'Tisprovided'on each side of the device and each flange 20 on link 21 is provided with a slot 31.

The operation will be described in connection with its use as a wrist watch strap, although the device is not limited to this use.

The ends of a wrist watch strap are connected to the rings 3 and I3 and the device is slipped over the hand with the top piece I, link 5 and bottom piece 9 unfolded and with the slidable looking member I2 in an extended position. The parts I, 5 and 9 are then folded and the slidable locking member' I2 is adjusted inwardly in accordance with the size of the wrist.

As each tooth I6 along the edge of the flange I' l of the slidable locking member I2 reaches the catch I 1 and passes by, it snaps behind this lug with the straightened edge of the tooth behind the large inner end of this catch Il, which is at right angles to the movement of the teeth, thus keeping the parts in adjusted positions.

When it is desired to open or expand the device for removal of a wrist watch from the wrist, pressure with the thumb is applied. to the lower side of link member 9, thus moving the lugs I and right hand end of flexible link 6 upwardly and raising the catch IE on the flange I4 out of contact with the tooth I! on one of the flanges 2 of the slidable locking member I2 as shown in Fig. '7, whereupon this sliding locking member I2 can be drawn out until the projection I5 strikes the stop 9* on link 9. As soon as the end of catch l2 passes beyond the catch I I the three memhers I, 5 and 9 can be opened so that the rings 3 and I3 are nearly four times as far apart as they are in their closed or nested position.

When it is desired to return the parts to the closed locked position of the device, one merely folds the parts I, 5 and 9, presses them together between thumb and forefinger and pushes the slidpulled out."

The slidable locking member I2 is adjusted in-,

wardly after the links have been folded together merely by pushing it until the dESlI'fiCl'jlJOQth-g has reached the catch l1. v r

The operation of the modificationshown' in Figs. 11 and 12 is like that describediabove but there is a lug 36 on each flange to catch in I teeth. 7 I What is claimed is:

2-: 1. An extensible connector comprising 1 two flanged linksyconnectedby' a resilient link havsing/its ends-pivoted in the'flanges of-said links,

and having a projecting portional'near a pivoted end thereof adapted to press againstone, of said flanged links when the parts arein folded position, a Ltoothed member slidable 1 in .1 one? of 7 said flanged links anda lug onthe flange of-the other of said links adapted to engage the teeth'of said toothedmember and maintain them in'adjusted positions; i

4 bers having a toothed flange, the other end memher having flanges along its edges with an inwardly extending lug at the edge of one of said flanges, the first end member having flanges, one of which is provided with a slot for said lug.

3. An extensible connector comprising three pivoted links, the first and third ones having side walls in which the second one is pivoted at opposite ends thereof, the first one having an inwardly extending lug the outer' 'edgie 'of one of its side walls, the secondone" having an extension on its top side near where it is pivoted to the first link, the third one having inwardly ex- ,tending flanges along the edges of its side walls and a notch for said lug in one of its side walls and corresponding flange, and a slide in the third n 2. Anuextensible connector comprising'three curved? foldable pivoted .members; a resilient imiddle member'having a projection near one end thereof adapted to press vagainst the adjacent member when'said'members are in folded position, a slidablememloer in oneof said end mem- 1 one of said..-linksacarrying teeth to engage said lug andhold said links in folded position.

' I 4. The connector of claim 3 in which said second link is springy and the others are rigid.

5. The 'conn'ector'of claim 3 in whichsaid' teeth have oneside'sloping and'the otherside pe'rpen dicular to the slide' which "carries them when said links are in folded position; f: HENRY F. EBER-T.-'

REFERENEJESCEED 1 The following references are of record in the file of this patent;

UNITEDI STATE PATENTS 1 3 f 

